Rimsky-Korsakow, Nicolai

Printed Letter Signed, N. Rimsky-Korsakow, two pages, quarto, St. Petersburg, November/December 1906. As president of the committee organizing the celebration of Glazunov’s 25th anniversary as a composer, to an unnamed “leading person connected with music and art.” Also signed by two of the committee members, A. I. Siloti and A. K. Liadow.

“March 30 is the twenty-fifty anniversary of the first appearance of A. K. Glazounow as a composer. On March 29th 1882, the name of A. K. Glasounow was made known to the musical world. On that day his first-orchestral composition, the 1st symphony in E-dur, was produced at a free concert given by the School of Music, the author being then only sixteen years of age. The work rightly called forth delight and surprise, as much at the very early development of the composer; as at the rare artistic quality and freshness of the music. The fame of the new composer, endowed with such great talent and individuality, raised great hopes for the future, and the results of the following twenty-five years of creative work have more than fulfilled the most exacting expectations. At the present time, the name of A. K. Glazounow is the glory and pride of Russia, the possession of all the cultured world. As a symphonist A. K. Glazounow stands at the head of the Russian School and takes one of the foremost places in the musical world.

“In recognition of the importance and artistic value of his work and of the service rendered to culture by A. K. Glazounow, a committee has been formed in St. Petersburg, to arrange a musical festival in [his] honor. At a committee meeting Oct. 1 1906 the following resolutions were passed: 1) A symphony concert to be given in honor of A. K. Glazounow’s twenty-five years of work as a composer. The concert to consist entirely of his compositions. 2) The day fixed for the concert is Feb 9th 1907, the nearest date on which the Hall of the Nobility (the best concert hall in St. Petersburg) is at the disposal of the committee. 3) The program to consist of the 1st symphony, which was the composers introduction to the public, and the 8th symphony, his latest composition. The former conducted by N. A. Rimsky-Korsakow, the latter by A. Siloti. These works to be rendered by the orchestra of the Siloti-Concerts. 4) This notice to be sent to all leading persons connected with music and art generally, to all leading musical, artistic and learned societies in Russia and abroad, in case any of them wish to take part in the jubilee celebration in any form. ”

Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakow taught Glazounov as a private student. He later wrote of his student that his musical development progressed not by the day but by the hour. Before long, the relationship between student and teacher changed and Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakow considered him more of a junior colleague. The first of Glazounov’s eight symphonies was performed when he was sixteen-years-old, conducted by Rimsky-Korsakov. In 1905, when Glazounov was named Director of the St. Petersburg Conservatory, he was at the height of his creative powers.